Savour the taste of the Côte d'Azur terroir

Home to what Vauban hailed as “Europe’s most beautiful bay”, Toulon is also renowned for its excellent eateries and culinary specialities that promise to delight discerning palates. Located in the city centre, Les Halles food hall is a favourite haunt for locals and visitors alike, bringing together around twenty passionate producers and restauranteurs in an Art Deco building first inaugurated in 1929. A foodie’s paradise, you’ll find a tempting line-up of charcuterie, tapas, authentic Italian cuisine, seafood and international dishes there – in short, something for every taste! As you roam the streets of the city’s historic quarter, you will also come across food carts selling cade – an integral part of Toulon’s culinary landscape. You’ll only need one bite of this delicious pancake-style speciality made with chickpeas and olive oil to understand why the people of Toulon have loved it for generations!

Renowned as the fig capital, the village of Solliès-Pont, in the inland Var area, boasts a charming historic quarter lined with colourful façades and lively markets where the deliciously sweet summer fruit – the proud holder of its own AOC label – is celebrated every August. But that’s not all: the Var area offers a host of other delectable discoveries. Nestled in the heart of the majestic Maures hills, the Confiserie Azuréenne in Collobrières has been celebrating the humble chestnut since 1948 with its artisan candied chestnuts and exquisite chestnut creams, sometimes enhanced with a touch of honey or rum. Next, it’s time to head back to the coast and the legendary village of Saint-Tropez. The Tarte Tropézienne, created by pastry chef Alexandre Micka in 1955 and subsequently brought to fame by Brigitte Bardot, is a genuine local institution. And the local vineyards, tucked between sea and hills, produce excellent, refreshing and aromatic rosé wines.

With its ancient ramparts gazing out over the sea, the old quarter of Antibes exudes typical southern French charm. The Provençal market on Cours Masséna in the heart of town, held every day in June, July and August, and every day except Monday the rest of the year, is an ode to the produce of Provence and the Riviera. Colourful market stalls line the town’s streets and food hall, offering up a vibrant display of charcuterie, cheeses, olives, spices, sun-kissed fruit and fragrant vegetables. A dazzling array of fresh and dried flowers completes this magical scene. A great place to chat with local sellers and producers, the market’s joyful and friendly atmosphere is an ode to flavour and authenticity.

Over the centuries, Nice has forged a solid reputation for fine food that owes nothing to chance. A hub of market gardening, farming and fishing, and the only major French city boasting its own AOC wine – Bellet – Nice is a master of the art of fabulous local produce. Authentic and heartfelt, the cuisine of Nice can just as easily be enjoyed at a Michelin-starred restaurant or on the go, in the picturesque lanes of the old quarter. The city’s must-try specialities include Pan Bagnat, a large roll filled with anchovies, raw vegetables and olives, and drizzled with olive oil, Pissaladière, a sort of pizza topped with onions and anchovies, and Socca, a golden-brown chickpea and olive oil pancake. Created around a decade ago, the “Cuisine Nissarde” label distinguishes restaurants, snack bars and food trucks committed to upholding traditional local recipes.

Basking at the gateway to Italy, the radiant town of Menton, lined with cosy ochre façades, is world-renowned for its exceptional lemons, grown in this mild Riviera climate since the 14th century. Awarded an IGP (Protected Geographical Indication) label in 2015, the “Citron de Menton” is often used to prepare a succulent, creamy and lightly acidic lemon jam. Visit the luxuriant gardens of the Palais de Carnolès – the former summer residence of the Princes of Monaco – to admire Europe’s largest collection of citrus fruits – 137 varieties no less! Last but not least, the Serre de la Madone, an official “Remarkable Garden” and property of the Conservatoire du Littoral (Coastal Protection Agency), set on the heights of Menton, showcases countless rare plants and tree species from the world over in a dreamy, verdant setting.